Politics

2027: Shocker As Patience Jonathan Throws Wight Behind Tinubu, Vows Rigorous Campaign

Published

12 months ago

May 11, 2025

Editor

Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has ruled out any return to Aso Rock Villa, declaring instead that she will campaign alongside the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The ex-First Lady, known for her candid views, threw her weight behind the principle of rotational leadership, describing the “turn-by-turn” model as essential for national unity.

Jonathan disclosed this while acknowledging the President’s daughter and Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, after receiving the Women Icon Leader of the Year award from Accolade Dynamics Limited in Abuja on Saturday night.

She said, “I was supposed to call her first, but I saved her for last: the daughter of our wonderful President, the President of Nigeria, the one and only we believe in — President Bola Tinubu. Iyaloja, thank you for standing with women because these are your women. Carry them along; they are with you.

“All the way, we are with you. No shaking. We will follow. Direct us, and we will follow.
Because there is only one president at a time. We don’t have two presidents. I am outspoken — if I don’t like something, I will say it. But if I like something, I die for it.

“I believe in one president. I believe in turn-by-turn. When it’s your turn, I will support you. When it’s not your turn, step back—so that the country can move forward.”

Speaking further, she said she has a longstanding relationship with Remi Tinubu that predates their time in Aso Rock.

Jonathan also recalled how Remi Tinubu and the president supported her and her husband when they contested for the presidency in 2011.

She insisted that rather than return to Aso Rock, she would support the First Lady and her husband.

She said, “I didn’t just know her (Senator Oluremi Tinubu) just because she’s the First Lady, no. We worked together. We worked as a group.

“We are groups. We worked when I was a deputy governor’s wife. We worked when I was a governor’s wife. I know her. I talked with Oluremi. Even when my husband was the vice president, Oluremi stood with her husband and supported us during our first election. They supported us. So, for me, I have a conscience. I cannot abandon my friend, whether you like it or not.

“Because, you see, this is turn by turn. Today is my turn—I will go. Tomorrow, it will be another person’s turn—then we go. And when we go, will we still meet? Where will we meet? I don’t know.

“I stand by my friend. My friend is great. I told her I would campaign with her. I’m not denying her. I’m not running. I’m not going back to the villa. If you call me, I will not go.

“I say it every day. Don’t you like how young I look? People say, “Mama, you are young, you are young!” it is because I have rest of mind, yes. I don’t want to go there—let my friend be there. Let me also “wahala” her the way she used to “wahala” me when I was there! Let me also tease her. And until she comes out, she will be young. But for now, she won’t be young. ”

She also threw her weight behind the 35 per cent affirmative action for women in governance, lamenting the repeated rejection of gender equality bills by the National Assembly.

“During Obasanjo’s time, we worked for it, and the Executive approved 35 per cent. My husband also maintained it. But when it comes to elective positions, the men dominate and shut us out. May God touch their hearts to understand that we are their mothers, sisters, and friends. We are not trying to take power from them—we are trying to support them.”

Jonathan described the honour as a recognition of collective efforts in the advancement of women’s health and economic well-being.

She said, “I am deeply humbled to receive this prestigious Women Icon Leader of the Year 2025 award. I accept this honour not just as a personal recognition, but as a testament to the tireless efforts of countless women and men who have worked alongside me to promote good health and economic development for women in Nigeria and beyond.”

She highlighted the work of her NGOs—Aurora Richard Foundation and Women for Change and Development Initiative—which have empowered thousands of women and youth through skill acquisition programmes and supported children with critical health conditions requiring surgeries abroad.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and CEO of Accolade Dynamics, Ms. Dofan Chizaram described the night as a tribute to both men and women who have significantly impacted Nigeria and the African continent through leadership, mentorship, and community development.

“This night is about celebrating the legends who have uplifted women and the broader community. We want to acknowledge their value while they are still with us,” Tor said.
(PUNCH)

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Politics

Crisis Hits APC Govs Forum As 18 Rejects Uzodinma’s Removal

Published

12 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

A serious crisis is currently brewing in the Progressive Governors’ Forum following the sudden removal of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, as its chairman.

Reports had it earlier that a cross-section of All Progressives Congress, APC, governors removed Uzodinma and installed the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, as its chairman.

Although the Director-General of the forum, Folorunso Aluko, in a statement on Friday, said the reports of Uzodinma’s removal were fake and misleading, sources privy to the matter confirmed to DAILY POST that some governors met on Thursday night and removed Uzodinma.

The meeting, according to reports, was led by the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and was held at the Ogun Government Lodge.

However, in a swift move to counter the decision of the Abiodun-led group, 18 other governors met behind closed doors at the Imo Lodge on Friday and passed a vote of confidence in Uzodinma.

Some of those present at the meeting included the governors of Ondo, Kaduna, Taraba, Sokoto, Ebonyi, Borno, Lagos, Kogi, Kano, Yobe, Kebbi, Benue and Jigawa states, while Nasarawa State was represented by its deputy governor.

Speaking on the unfolding events, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State said: “All of us woke up to that very unfortunate story, which was virtually in all the media in Nigeria. But the truth of the matter is that the APC Progressive Governors’ Forum is very united.

“We are stronger now than at any other time. And, of course, we are all supporting the president for what he has been doing.

“We also want to assure everyone that the APC is united, the governors are united, the forum is united, and there is no problem at all.”

Politics

BREAKING: APC Governors Forum Splits As Uzodimma, Abiodun Lead Rival Factions

Published

13 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

The Progressive Governors Forum, PGF, has been factionalised.

The rival factions emerged after its chairman, Governor Hope Uzodimma, was reportedly removed on Thursday.

While Uzodimma insisted that he remains PGF chairman, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq are leading a separate faction.

Another bloc within the forum has reportedly aligned behind Abiodun and AbdulRazaq.

The development, which comes amid growing political realignments within the ruling party, marks a significant crack within the ranks of APC governors ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to reports by Arise TV, details surrounding the disagreement remain unclear, but sources within the party said tensions had been building over internal leadership control and strategic positioning ahead of the next election season.

DAILY POST reports that, as of the time of filing this report, none of the factions had officially released a detailed statement on the cause of the division.

Politics

2027: Why We Called On Goodluck Jonathan To Run For Presidency – Ohikere

Published

1 day ago

May 7, 2026

Editor

Supporters of former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan have explained why they marched to his office, urging him to run in the 2027 presidential election.

While addressing the Coalition for Jonathan 2027 in Abuja on Thursday, its National President, Tom Ohikere, said the group was motivated by concerns over the state of the country.

Ohikere, on behalf of the coalition, appealed to the former president to “save Nigeria from impending collapse.”

He recalled an earlier visit to Jonathan on April 8, 2026, during which the group first appealed to him to contest the 2027 election.

The coalition noted that it had yet to receive a clear response from the former president and expressed concern that he had not picked up a nomination form from any political party.

According to them, Jonathan should commit to the race, obtain a presidential nomination form from any party of his choice, and contest the election, pledging to mobilise support for him across the country.

“Last month, April 8, 2026, the Coalition for Jonathan 2027 paid a friendly visit to Your Excellency to urge you to run in the 2027 presidential election to save Nigeria from impending collapse. Though we did not meet you in person, we believe that our message was unreservedly passed on to you, as it was to the entire Nigerian people through the media.

“Since then, we have had little information as to whether you have yielded to our clarion call, as you have not yet, to our knowledge, picked up a nomination form for the presidential contest in any registered political party.

“Because of our genuine fear of a possible collapse of Nigeria, as peace and unity are now gradually eluding all of us, we decided to march to your office again today, hoping you will step out to receive us and make a statement that will gladden our hearts and the entire nation.

“We are asking you to hear our cries and contest the 2027 presidential election, sir. This mammoth crowd that came with us here today is a fragment of your supporters nationwide and represents every tribe, tongue, and religious belief in this country. We, young and old, girls and boys, men and women, are all here crying for your voice to say ‘yes’ to our request,” Ohikere said.

Recall that Jonathan had hinted at the possibility of returning to the presidential race in 2027, saying he would “consult widely” following growing calls for him to contest.

Jonathan made the remark while responding to members of the Coalition for Jonathan 2027 who marched to his office to urge him to run for president in the next general election.

“Presidential race is not a computer game, but I heard you, and I will consult widely. But the most important thing is that Nigeria should have young people who will plan for our grandchildren,” Jonathan said.